IPL 2019
Chennai went on to win their third IPL title. (Credits: BCCI)

The next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2019) is all set to move to South Africa. There would be General Elections in the Country in the time window of April-May, which coincides with the schedule of the Twenty20 league. Thus, the next edition of the IPL will move to the Rainbow Nation. In fact, this is not the first time that T20 carnival is been moved out of the country.

In 2009, the professional T20 league was moved to South Africa for the whole edition due to the same reason. Similarly, half of the matches were played in UAE in the 2014 edition of the league. As the Government of India cannot provide the high level of security to the IPL during the General Elections, it makes sense to move it to another venue.

IPL,Satya Pal Malik, Jammu and Kashmir,
Photo Credit: IPL/BCCI.

UAE is also in the race.

Furthermore, the Indian Premier League will be followed by the World Cup. The World Cup will begin from 30 May, thus, the start of the IPL will be preponed.

A source confirmed that it would be difficult for players to adjust to different playing conditions. Therefore, the thought is to move the entire tournament to one country. Thus, South Africa is leading the charts as it had hosted the same in the 2009 season.

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Meanwhile, if partial shifting is considered then UAE could be the next destination for the IPL.

“That’s the only reason why partial shifting of the IPL out of the country is more of a possibility than entirely shifting the tournament. If that’s the case, UAE could be the destination,” say sources as per TOI.

IPL 2018
Chennai went on to win their third IPL title. (Credits: BCCI)

Makes sense to move IPL 2019 to South Africa.

On the other hand, Cricket South Africa sources believe the IPL can attract the crowd back to the stadiums which have lost the spark in the recent past.

“The only bigger sporting spectacle South Africa has witnessed was the FIFA World Cup. Even the 2003 ICC World Cup here paled in comparison to the excitement that the IPL triggered in 2009. There was no interest whatsoever. Venues like Kimberley, East London, PE, they’re already drying up for lack of any exciting sporting contests. Only an IPL could bring people back to the grounds in these parts,” said Cricket South Africa sources.

“Meanwhile, a source in close proximity to the whereabout of things confirmed that it would be difficult for players to adjust to playing conditions of two countries, provided if half the season is hosted by another country. Thus, the IPL 2019 could be shifted to South Africa”. 

Meanwhile, Pakistan Super League is also hosted by the UAE. Thus, if IPL is going to be scheduled in the UAE, there would be less time between the final match of the PSL and the first match of the IPL. Therefore, chances are less for the UAE to host next season of the IPL.

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